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Baby travel - planes

Very young babies do not have the same resistance to infection as older children and adults, and germs can be easily circulated in the warm air of the aircraft - so it's best to wait a few months after birth before flying.

If you're going overseas, make sure that everyone travelling gets all the vaccinations they need well in advance of flying.

Dress your baby in layers for air travel - the air temperature inside a plane is usually comfortable and you can take layers on and off as you need to.

Do a little research before you book about which airlines are good at dealing with children - other mothers will be able to help you with this.

Try to book flights that will accommodate your baby's sleep routine. While this will make the actual travelling as pleasant as it can be, you will still have to contend with jet lag when you get to your destination which can really mix things up a bit!

Consider using a sling or pouch to carry your baby when travelling as it will free up your hands and make it less likely that you'll lose something along the way.

Check out whether the airline you're flying with have bassinettes available. Some airlines have bassinettes in the bulkhead which allow your baby to sleep well in something other than your arms. Try to feed your baby during take-off and landing for comfort and to help equalise her ears.